Dental lip-protector.



E. c. W AGKLER. DENTAL LIP PROTECTOR. APPLICATION TILED 0OT.23, 1907.

903,344-- Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

EDWARD CHARLES WAOKLER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

DENTAL LIP-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Application filed October 23, 1907. Serial No. 398,752.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD CHARLES VJAOKLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dental Lip- Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to provide a device for use in dental work, and its essential feature consists of a positive protection to the corner of the mouth of the patient against the dental tools of the operator.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device in position as when in use; Fig. 2 is a side view and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring by numerals to the figures: My device is constructed preferably of one piece of rigid material stamped in disk form and bent upon itself to the end of leaving a convex channel 4, adapted to receive the lip and cheek of the patient. My device is also bent in the form of a circle conforming to the shape of the corner of the mouth and having a convex throat 3. I provide two extending flanges adapted to serve as a protection to the lips and cheeks of the patient and also to aid in retaining the device in position in the mouth. One of the side flanges designated as 2 is adapted to be placed on the inside of the cheek and to act as a protection to the fleshy part of the cheek and also keep the fleshy part of the cheek from interfering with the work of the operator, and is designed to be more extensive in circular form than the flange designated 1, which latter flange is adapted to be placed on the outside and serves to protect the lips of the patient from being bruised by coming in contact with the instruments used in dentistry, and also aids to hold my device in position in the mouth.

My invention does not relate to that class of devices adapted to distend the mouth or hold the lips of the patient free from the teeth, but is adapted for the sole purpose of protecting the corner of the mouth from injury from dental tools. My device is interchangeable and may be inserted or removed by the patient at will without assistance from the operator. It is especially adapted for use in all operations wherein it becomes necessary to hold the corners of the mouth back by means of a mouth mirror.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A dental lip protector comprising acrescent shaped piece, two "flanges for said piece bent upon each other and leaving a space less than the thickness of the corner of the mouth, whereby the protector is made self-supporting and may be used in either corner of the mouth to protect it from injury from dental tools substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD CHARLES WACKLER.

Witnesses:

EDGAR H. NEYMAN, ZELMA ESLER. 

